Scott Thompson photographed before he did a sky-dive during his around the world trip

Daredevil: Scott Thompson doing a sky-dive while on his around the world trip with his girlfriend

In a statement, the police said: 'Investigators believe a truck was travelling west on the Colac-Timboon Road around 11am when a quad bike pulled out of a nearby driveway and into its path.

'The truck and the quad bike collided, killing the rider, a man believed to be aged in his 20s.

'The truck driver, a man aged in his 50s, escaped injury.'

The former British soldier photographed on his travels around the world where he visited Dubai

Close: Scott Thompson, 27, from Nelson, Lancashire, was travelling the country with his girlfriend, Sami Allott

The couple had visited Dubai, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia, where they spent two weeks working with orangutans

Mr Thompson's father, Stephen, 55, said the family were unsure when his body would be able to return to the UK.

He said: 'The Foreign Office has sent us a bereavement package but we haven't heard anything from the police in Australia.

'We believe Sami and Ryan are going to formally identify the body today.'

Mr Thompson's father Stephen said the family were unsure when his body would be able to return to the UK

Missed: Scott Thompson's family have paid tribute to 'a joker who loved life'

A Foreign Office spokesperson said it was providing consular assistance to the family.

Mrs Thompson said the family had been inundated with messages from Scott's friends in Burnley and Pendle.

She said: 'I won't believe it until he's home. I miss him. I don't know what to say, I really don't. 'I want him home with me. He was so well-respected locally. I'm not just saying that because I'm his mum; I know he was.'

As well as his sister Kirsty, Mr Thompson is survived by two brothers; Chris, 34, and Justin, 29.